Teen robber kicked boy's teeth in to impress friends

The court was told the defendant pulled the boy's his jacket over his head and repeatedly punched and kicked him in the face and head

A Dublin youth knocked a 13-year-old boy's front teeth out with kicks and punches to impress his new friends, a court has heard.

The accused boy, aged 15, was once a "student of the year" in his school but began abusing cannabis, fell into a bad peer group and went out of control. He pleaded guilty to the robbery which took place in Inchicore in Dublin in April.

Garda Stephen Farrelly told Judge John O'Connor that the defendant, who was accompanied to court by his mother, had 26 prior criminal convictions including theft, burglary and assault.

Gda Farrelly said the victim had been cycling home when he stopped outside a shop where the defendant, then aged 14 and in the company of his peers, asked for a lift on the back of his bike.

During the cycle he asked the younger boy where he lived and the 13-year-old started to feel uncomfortable and would not tell him. He turned onto Tyrconnell Road where the youth knocked him off his bike and he fell to the ground.

The court was told the defendant pulled the boy's his jacket over his head and repeatedly punched and kicked him in the face and head, "knocking out his front teeth". He then cycled off on the younger boy's bike, which was not recovered.

Gda Farrelly said the teenage robber had been identified from CCTV footage.

When he was arrested and questioned the defendant made no admissions.

The case was heard in Dublin Children's Court, which remanded him in custody pending sentencing.

A probation report on him and a victim-impact statement are to be prepared.